D.C. National Guard's 257th Army Band to hold tryouts for the D.C. High School, All-city Honor Band

WASHINGTON, DC (01/12/2018) (readMedia)-- The District of Columbia National Guard's 257th Army Band, will conduct tryouts for its second annual D.C. High School, All-city, Honor Band at the D.C. National Guard Armory Jan. 27, 2018.

The band is open to District of Columbia public and charter high school students. Registration for auditions can be completed at our website: www.257armyband.wordpress.com. Registration for auditions should be completed by student's music teachers by January 19, 2018.

After auditions, selected student musicians will be invited to participate in the D.C. High School All-city Honor Band held at the McKinley Technology High School Feb. 8-10, 2018.

Student musicians selected for the honor band will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and rehearsals Feb. 8-9, and then perform in a concert, with members of the 257th Army Band Feb. 10.

The concert will take place in the McKinley Technology High School Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. Admission will be free of charge and open to the general public. However, tickets are required for entry. Free tickets can be reserved at https://dcallcityhonorband.eventbrite.com.

The 257th Army Band boast a proud lineage dating back to the Corcoran Cadets of the D.C. Militia. During a period after the Civil War, this cadet corps gained notoriety for its ceremonial drill units. At the request of the cadet corps, John Philip Sousa composed the "Corcoran Cadets" march in 1890. In addition to the "Corcoran Cadets" march, Sousa composed "The March Past of the National Fencibles," and "Washington Cadets" march for rival, Washington, D.C. drill teams. These marches are still played by high school bands across the country.

The 257th Army Band is part of the District of Columbia Army National Guard, Land Component Command's, 74th Troop Command. Although centrally located among the finest military bands in the world, The 257th Army Band is officially recognized as "The Band of the Nation's Capital."

Noteworthy performances include musical support for the Inauguration of President Barack Obama, performances in Greece, Jamaica, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Panama, consecutive appearances at the Great American Brass Band Festival and concert tours throughout New England, Texas and the Mid-Atlantic.

For more information on auditions and musical aspects of the event, please reach out to Sergeant Andy Waiters at andrew.g.waiters.mil@mail.mil. Follow the 257th Army Band on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the most up to date information.

Rehearsals on Feb. 9 will be open to the press from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information contact the D.C. National Guard Public Affairs Office, at 202-821-7181 byron.b.coward.mil@mail.mil.